Per D: Tim Stein, Regan Kelliher, George Younes, Emily Etheridge, Patrick Craven, Trevor Lang, Rory Cornell, Zadok Emerick
Aristotle(384 BCE- 322 BCE)Philosopher, Educator, and Scientist
Background
Aristotle was born in a Stagira, a small town in Northern Greece
At the age of 18 Aristotle was sent to Athens to study under Plato's school which was known as the Academy.
Aristotle studied for twenty years under Plato but as time went on Aristotle began to form different opinions that contradicted Platonic belief.
As a result of their contrasting opinions, Plato's successor was not chosen to be Aristotle even though he was the most eminent philosopher in his school of learning. Instead the Platonic school of thought was continued by Plato's son.
As a result Aristotle left Athens and traveled to the kingdom of Macedonia to tutor the future world conqueror Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great studied under Aristotle from 343- 336 BC.
This connection with the Macedonian government would come back to haunt Aristotle even though he was helf at high esteem at the time.
Aristotle returned to Athens after marrying twice and having one son, Nicomachus.
Upon his arrival in Athens, Aristotle discovered that the Platonic school of thought dominated the city.
In order to counteract this, Aristotle founded the Lyceum, his own school of thought in 335 BC, also known as the peripatetic school which means "covered walkway."
Alexander died in 322 B.C., and Aristotle was charged with Impiety or lack of reverence for the Gods by the Athenians
Alexander has conquered them, so by charging Aristotle with Impiety, they were in a way getting revenge, because Alexander and Aristotle were friends.
Aristotle made his way to Chalcis to avoid this complication and died a year later.
(Tim Stein & Emily Etheridge)
Metaphysics
Aristotle believed in the philosophy of Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the philosophy that focuses on the basic nature of reality. Metaphysics
has always focused on certain key concepts such as space and time, causality, identity and change, possibility and necessity, universals and particulars, and mind and body. (Jesseph, 2011) Aristotle's goal in the science of metaphysics was to study knowledge and reality in a more general and simplified way. Aristotle called Metaphysics the "first philosophy", and was named Metaphysics century's after his death.
Aristotle's Branches of Metaphysics:
ONTOLOGY-The study of being and existence. physical or mental being. This includes the nature of the beings properties and/ or the way they change.
THEOLOGY-The study of a God or more than one God. This branch consists of issues relating to religion, faith, creation, and the existence of the "divine"
UNIVERSAL SCIENCE-The study of "first principles."
(Emily Etheridge)
Aristotle Timeline
388 BCE-Plato (student of Socrates) establishes the first university, the Academy in Athens. 384 BCE-Aristotle born (Stagirus in Macedonia) to Phaestis and Nichomachus. 377 BCE-Hippocrates dies. 374 BCE-Aristotle's father (Nichomachus) dies. 371 BCE-Thebes defeats Sparta at Leuctra. 367 BCE-Aristotle sent to Plato's Academy in Athens. 359 BCE-Philip becomes King of Macedonia. 356 BCE-The holy temple of Delphi is destroyed in the Sacred War. 347 BCE-Plato dies.Aristotle leaves Athens for Assus, where he marries Pythias. 345 BCE-Hermias (ruler of Assus) killed by Persians. 344 BCE-Aristotle lives in Lesbos; biological research. 343-340 BCE-Aristotle tutors Alexander in Pella, Macedonia. 338 BCE-Macedonian army defeats Athens.League of Corinth founded. 336 BCE-Philip II assassinated; succeeded by his son, who becomes Alexander the Great. 335 BCE-Aristotle opens the Lyceum in Athens. 334 BCE-Alexander the Great begins war against Persia. 323 BCE-Alexander the Great dies in Babylon and his empire is divided among his successors. 322 BCE-Aristotle leaves Athens for Euboea to avoid a death sentence.Aristotle dies soon after reaching Euboea.
("Aristotle" 2011)
aristotle
(Emily Etheridge)
Aristotle's Divisions of Writing
Logic
Categories (10 classifications of terms)
On Interpretation (propositions, truth, modality)
Prior Analytics (syllogistic logic)
Posterior Analytics (scientific method and syllogism)
Topics (rules for effective arguments and debate)
On Sophistical Refutations (informal fallacies)
Physical works
Physics (explains change, motion, void, time)
On the Heavens (structure of heaven, earth, elements)
On Generation (through combining material constituents)
Meteorologics (origin of comets, weather, disasters)
Psychological works
On the Soul (explains faculties, senses, mind, imagination)
On Memory, Reminiscence, Dreams, and Prophesysing
Works on natural history
History of Animals (physical/mental qualities, habits)
Material cause: “that from which, (as a constituent) present in it, a thing comes to be … e.g., the bronze and silver, and their genera, are causes of the statue and the bowl.”
Formal cause: “the form, i.e., the pattern … the form is the account of the essence … and the parts of the account.”
Efficient cause: “the source of the primary principle of change or stability,” e.g., the man who gives advice, the father (of the child). “The producer is a cause of the product, and the initiator of the change is a cause of what is changed.”
Final cause: “something’s end (telos)—i.e., what it is for—is its cause, as health is <the cause> of walking.”
(Zadok Emerick)
location in which aristotle studied and taught with plato
Aristotle was a Greek Philosopher born in the town of Stagira
Aristotle
A fortress built by Alexander’s army in Herat, Afghanistan, and still standing.
Raphael's School of Athens shows a gathering of ancient Greek philosophers and scientists in a Roman architectural setting. Standing in the center are Plato, left, and Aristotle, right. The harmony and balance of the composition are typical of the revival of classicism in the period called the High Renaissance.
( Emily Etheridge)
Question 2:What is an accurate and adequate summary of the individual’s view of human nature? What is the individual’s view of how society should form and function in reaction to this view on human nature?
Aristotle based his ethics on his view of the universe.
He believed it was a hierarchy in which everything has a certain function.
The lowest form of life he believed were the servants of the rational being, which were the highest form of life.
As a result of this idea, he defended slavery because he believed barbarians were less rational than Greeks were and nature suited them to be living tools.
From this, also came his idea of human nature.
Aristotle believed that all living things have inherent potentialities and it is their nature to develop that potential to the fullest.
This is the form of life he believed fitted them best.
Aristotle said "The ultimate goal of humans, therefore, is to develop their reasoning powers. When they do this, they are living well, in accordance with their true nature, and they will find this the most rewarding existence possible."
Aristotle believed that our nature was as a group and that we wouldn't be human without social structures like family and the city. He also believed that morality should be determined by reason and that if the reason was present to tell whether a man's action was good or bad then he could be judged.
"A man who is not able to be in a community or needs nothing through self-sufficiency is no part of a city, and so is either a beast or a god.”
( Tim Stein)
Question 3:What are some examples of current political or social laws or policies related to this individual’s work?
BACKGROUND INFO: Aristotle addresses the city in his treatise Politics. The most basic elements of his treatise are that laws are good, laws are positive influences on citizens of the city, and that law is needed to shape how the city's structure works. According to Aristotle, the most important role a politician can take is being a law giver, so that politician may better construct the structure of the city-state's constitution. Once the constitution is in place, the politician must always seek to reform it when necessary, and must always prevent developments that might undermine the power and authority of the political system (Miller, 2011). Aristotle states that the definition of a constitution is “a certain ordering of the inhabitants of the city-state," and is also "the way of life (Miller, 2011)." A social community of any sort whether it being a city or country cannot acquire order unless a ruler is established following the constraints of the previously created constitution. Aristotle states that “the person who first established [the city-state] is the cause of very great benefits (Miller, 2011)." This very person that first establishes the city-state and causes great benefits is truly in fact the law giver or politician.
EXAMPLE:
Today in our day and age the world revolves around law. Laws are set by our government who look into our constitution to create the laws. Our world isn't that much different than Aristotle's, politically. Laws today are still good, still positive influences and still are needed to shape our society. Without laws our world would be complete chaos. Laws tell us what we can or can't do. For example, stealing is against the law, but if you truly wanted to you could go ahead and commit theft. You sure did what you wanted to do, but now when the police catch you, punishments will be dealt. Our country, like Aristotle stated is correct, is run by a government who follows constitutional guidelines so that citizens of this country can enjoy the freedoms that we're entitled to by the constitution. Aristotle being one of the greatest philosophers of mankind developed a treatise that we still study today, and still base many of our governmental principles on.
3 Video series of Professor Dennis G. Dalton, talking about Aristotle's Politics, and also critiquing Plato from an Aristotelian point of view.
(George Younes) Question 4 :How does this individual's perception of human nature compare and contrast with the Catholic view of human nature?
Aristotle held that human beings have inherent potentialities.
He said that it is their nature to develop these potentials to the full.
Their unlitmate goal is to develop their reasoning powers. This is how they find the most rewarding existence possible.
The church beleievs that human nature is generally good although it is burdened by original sin.
The two opinions differ although they do not contradict each other.
In a way they are similar because your potentials should be good so if you can develop these potentials to the full you are essentially good. If your potentials are not good then this is where the burden of original sin comes in.
(Zadok Emerick)
Works Cited
1. "Aristotle [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 11 Apr. 2001. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/>.
2. Shields, Christopher. "Aristotle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/>.
4. Jesseph, Douglas M. "Metaphysics." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 11 Sept. 2011.
5. Soll, Ivan. "Aristotle." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
6. Miller, Fred. "Aristotle's Political Theory (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)."Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford.edu, 1 July 1998. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
Aristotle(384 BCE- 322 BCE)Philosopher, Educator, and Scientist
Background
(Tim Stein & Emily Etheridge)
Metaphysics
Aristotle believed in the philosophy of Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the philosophy that focuses on the basic nature of reality. Metaphysicshas always focused on certain key concepts such as space and time, causality, identity and change, possibility and necessity, universals and particulars, and mind and body. (Jesseph, 2011) Aristotle's goal in the science of metaphysics was to study knowledge and reality in a more general and simplified way. Aristotle called Metaphysics the "first philosophy", and was named Metaphysics century's after his death.
Aristotle's Branches of Metaphysics:
ONTOLOGY- The study of being and existence. physical or mental being. This includes the nature of the beings properties and/ or the way they change.
THEOLOGY- The study of a God or more than one God. This branch consists of issues relating to religion, faith, creation, and the existence of the "divine"
UNIVERSAL SCIENCE- The study of "first principles."
(Emily Etheridge)
Aristotle Timeline
388 BCE-Plato (student of Socrates) establishes the first university, the Academy in Athens.384 BCE-Aristotle born (Stagirus in Macedonia) to Phaestis and Nichomachus.
377 BCE-Hippocrates dies.
374 BCE-Aristotle's father (Nichomachus) dies.
371 BCE-Thebes defeats Sparta at Leuctra.
367 BCE-Aristotle sent to Plato's Academy in Athens.
359 BCE-Philip becomes King of Macedonia.
356 BCE-The holy temple of Delphi is destroyed in the Sacred War.
347 BCE-Plato dies.Aristotle leaves Athens for Assus, where he marries Pythias.
345 BCE-Hermias (ruler of Assus) killed by Persians.
344 BCE-Aristotle lives in Lesbos; biological research.
343-340 BCE-Aristotle tutors Alexander in Pella, Macedonia.
338 BCE-Macedonian army defeats Athens.League of Corinth founded.
336 BCE-Philip II assassinated; succeeded by his son, who becomes Alexander the Great.
335 BCE-Aristotle opens the Lyceum in Athens.
334 BCE-Alexander the Great begins war against Persia.
323 BCE-Alexander the Great dies in Babylon and his empire is divided among his successors.
322 BCE-Aristotle leaves Athens for Euboea to avoid a death sentence.Aristotle dies soon after reaching Euboea.
("Aristotle" 2011)
(Emily Etheridge)
Aristotle's Divisions of Writing
("Aristotle", 2001) ( Emily Etheridge)
Aristotle Quotes
(Emily Etheridge)
=
=
Aristotle Four Causes
(Zadok Emerick)
( Emily Etheridge)
Question 2: What is an accurate and adequate summary of the individual’s view of human nature? What is the individual’s view of how society should form and function in reaction to this view on human nature?
Aristotle based his ethics on his view of the universe.
- He believed it was a hierarchy in which everything has a certain function.
- The lowest form of life he believed were the servants of the rational being, which were the highest form of life.
- As a result of this idea, he defended slavery because he believed barbarians were less rational than Greeks were and nature suited them to be living tools.
- From this, also came his idea of human nature.
- Aristotle believed that all living things have inherent potentialities and it is their nature to develop that potential to the fullest.
- This is the form of life he believed fitted them best.
- Aristotle said "The ultimate goal of humans, therefore, is to develop their reasoning powers. When they do this, they are living well, in accordance with their true nature, and they will find this the most rewarding existence possible."
- Aristotle believed that our nature was as a group and that we wouldn't be human without social structures like family and the city. He also believed that morality should be determined by reason and that if the reason was present to tell whether a man's action was good or bad then he could be judged.
- "A man who is not able to be in a community or needs nothing through self-sufficiency is no part of a city, and so is either a beast or a god.”
( Tim Stein)Question 3: What are some examples of current political or social laws or policies related to this individual’s work?
BACKGROUND INFO:
Aristotle addresses the city in his treatise Politics. The most basic elements of his treatise are that laws are good, laws are positive influences on citizens of the city, and that law is needed to shape how the city's structure works. According to Aristotle, the most important role a politician can take is being a law giver, so that politician may better construct the structure of the city-state's constitution. Once the constitution is in place, the politician must always seek to reform it when necessary, and must always prevent developments that might undermine the power and authority of the political system (Miller, 2011). Aristotle states that the definition of a constitution is “a certain ordering of the inhabitants of the city-state," and is also "the way of life (Miller, 2011)." A social community of any sort whether it being a city or country cannot acquire order unless a ruler is established following the constraints of the previously created constitution. Aristotle states that “the person who first established [the city-state] is the cause of very great benefits (Miller, 2011)." This very person that first establishes the city-state and causes great benefits is truly in fact the law giver or politician.
EXAMPLE:
Today in our day and age the world revolves around law. Laws are set by our government who look into our constitution to create the laws. Our world isn't that much different than Aristotle's, politically. Laws today are still good, still positive influences and still are needed to shape our society. Without laws our world would be complete chaos. Laws tell us what we can or can't do. For example, stealing is against the law, but if you truly wanted to you could go ahead and commit theft. You sure did what you wanted to do, but now when the police catch you, punishments will be dealt. Our country, like Aristotle stated is correct, is run by a government who follows constitutional guidelines so that citizens of this country can enjoy the freedoms that we're entitled to by the constitution. Aristotle being one of the greatest philosophers of mankind developed a treatise that we still study today, and still base many of our governmental principles on.3 Video series of Professor Dennis G. Dalton, talking about Aristotle's Politics, and also critiquing Plato from an Aristotelian point of view.
(George Younes)
Question 4 :How does this individual's perception of human nature compare and contrast with the Catholic view of human nature?
- Aristotle held that human beings have inherent potentialities.
- He said that it is their nature to develop these potentials to the full.
- Their unlitmate goal is to develop their reasoning powers. This is how they find the most rewarding existence possible.
- The church beleievs that human nature is generally good although it is burdened by original sin.
- The two opinions differ although they do not contradict each other.
- In a way they are similar because your potentials should be good so if you can develop these potentials to the full you are essentially good. If your potentials are not good then this is where the burden of original sin comes in.
(Zadok Emerick)Works Cited
1. "Aristotle [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 11 Apr. 2001. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/>.
2. Shields, Christopher. "Aristotle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/>.
3. "Aristotle Quotes - The Quotations Page." Quotes and Famous Sayings - The Quotations Page. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Aristotle/61>.
4. Jesseph, Douglas M. "Metaphysics." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 11 Sept. 2011.
5. Soll, Ivan. "Aristotle." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
6. Miller, Fred. "Aristotle's Political Theory (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)."Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford.edu, 1 July 1998. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
7. "Aristotle." Mac OS X Server. Web. 11 Sept. 2011. <http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/glossary/aristotle.html>.